Motorcycle riders who died in Laguna Seca crash mourned

Despite a morning rain, the track was reported to be completely dry for a World Superbike race that was Sunday’s last event at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. Unfortunately, an apparent mechanical problem led to tragedy.

The tight-knit motorcycle racing world Monday mourned the loss of two Spanish racers who died in a chain-reaction crash on the first lap of the race.

Rivas, whose full name is Daniel Rivas Fernandez, had had problems with his bike in the earlier race. This time, other riders said, he had just launched his BMW from row 3 of the grid when the bike lost power. Rivas raised his left hand to alert other riders but either was knocked off or fell off his motorcycle, then was struck by at least one rider. Cory Call told Road Racing World he could not avoid running over Rivas.

A multibike pileup ensued on the opening straightaway of the 2.2-mile course.

In this Sunday, July 19, 2015, photo, medical and track personnel attend to downed riders after a chain reaction crash on the first lap of a World Superbike race at Mazda Raceway at Laguna Seca in Monterey, Calif. Two Spanish racers were killed in the crash. Race organizers MotoAmerica identified the dead as 35-year-old Bernat Martinez and 27-year-old Daniel Rivas Fernandez. Both were taken to hospitals, where they later died. (Nic Coury/Monterey County Weekly via AP) MANDATORY CREDIT FOR PAPER AND PHOTOGRAPHER. MONTEREY HERALD OUT , SALINAS CALIFORNIAN OUT , SANTA CRUZ SENTINEL OUT , SAN JOSE MERCURY OUT , LOCAL TV OUT less

In this Sunday, July 19, 2015, photo, medical and track personnel attend to downed riders after a chain reaction crash on the first lap of a World Superbike race at Mazda Raceway at Laguna Seca in Monterey, ... more

Photo: Nic Coury, Associated Press

Image 2 of 3

In this Sunday, July 19, 2015, photo, medical and track personnel attend to Spanish rider Bernat Martinez after a chain reaction crash on the first lap of a World Superbike race at Mazda Raceway at Laguna Seca in Monterey, Calif. Two Spanish racers were killed in the crash. Race organizers MotoAmerica identified the dead as 35-year-old Bernat Martinez and 27-year-old Daniel Rivas Fernandez. Both were taken to hospitals, where they later died. (Nic Coury/Monterey County Weekly via AP) MANDATORY CREDIT FOR PAPER AND PHOTOGRAPHER. MONTEREY HERALD OUT , SALINAS CALIFORNIAN OUT , SANTA CRUZ SENTINEL OUT , SAN JOSE MERCURY OUT , LOCAL TV OUT less

In this Sunday, July 19, 2015, photo, medical and track personnel attend to Spanish rider Bernat Martinez after a chain reaction crash on the first lap of a World Superbike race at Mazda Raceway at Laguna Seca ... more

Photo: Nic Coury, AP

Image 3 of 3

Motorcycle riders who died in Laguna Seca crash mourned

1 / 3

Back to Gallery

Tyler O’Hara, a 28-year-old rider from Petaluma, told The Chronicle that he rubbed against Rivas. “My teammate, Josh Chisum, got hit from behind,” he said. “He had a back injury but no broken bones. ... I dodged a bullet.”

O’Hara said the fatalities will “put a hole in the (riders’) paddock. It’s not good for the sport. These were two guys who brought international competition to America. We’re like friends and family off the track. We’re like traveling gypsies.”

Eduardo Salvador, head of the Boxmoto team for which Rivas competed, watched in horror on the Internet.

“He was already on the ground when somebody hit him and sent his body flying,’’ he told the Spanish website, Marca. “Dani went there to earn a living and do what most Spanish racers don’t do. They made him an offer and he was excited.” Rivas and Martinez “risked their lives for pocket change. It’s what happens to almost everyone who isn’t famous; they have to earn a living and look what happens.’’

According to the Marca website, Rivas was helping to develop a Superbike for the Allende BMW Racing Team. Sunday’s races were his first with the team.

Track spokesman David Hart said Laguna Seca will investigate the crash.